11.   The U.S. dollar fell against the yen on speculation that central bankers will not propose steps to lower interest rates at a meeting Friday.

12.   Washington has long urged Tokyo to take steps to lower fixed-telecommunications rates, which have been blamed for slowing the spread of Internet use in Japan.

13.   In the meantime, the authorities will also take steps to lower the prices of local iron and steel to make them competitive on the international market.